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Lincoln seat recalls involving unexpected movement and weakened seat structures
Unexpected seat movement is a recurring Lincoln concern, particularly in Aviator second-row seats and newer Navigator front seats. The June 2025 notice covers 2020-2025 Aviator easy-entry switches that may bind or stick; the July 2026 notice covers 2020-2027 Aviator with similar switch behavior. Separate notices describe the 2026 Navigator driver's seat reversing at low speeds and 2025-2027 Navigator front passenger seats moving under unintended chauffeur commands. Structural concerns include 2020 Aviator recliners, 2018 Navigator center-seat reinforcement brackets, and 2020 Navigator headrest brackets. Other problems involve wiring damage in 2016-2018 MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus tilt seats, and detachable front head restraint cushions in 2022 Aviator.
Warning signs to watch for
- 25S67: Second-row outer seats may unlatch, fold, or slide unexpectedly while driving.
- The July 14, 2026 Aviator recall: Second-row outer seats may unlatch, tip, or slide unexpectedly.
- 26S11: The 2026 Navigator driver's seat may reverse unexpectedly while driving at low speeds.
- The October 20, 2026 Navigator recall: The front passenger seat may move forward, rearward, or recline without occupant input.
- The July 21, 2026 Aviator recall: An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during scenarios such as remote unlock or remote start.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
None of the supplied Lincoln seat notices tells owners to stop driving or park outside. This applies to the August 2019 recliner, July 2020 wiring, June 2025 easy-entry switch, March 2026 driver-seat software, July 2026 easy-entry switch, and October 2026 passenger-seat notices. The November 2018 center-seat, June 2020 headrest bracket, April 2022 head restraint cushion, and July 2026 driver-seat reclining notices likewise do not tell owners to stop driving. Their lack of a stop-driving instruction does not establish vehicle safety.
What the free repair involves
The notices specify free repairs. For 25S67, dealers inspect the second-row switch and replace its bezel as necessary. For 26S11, seat control software is updated by a dealer or OTA. The October 2026 Navigator remedy updates APIM and RACM software to disable chauffeur mode. The July 2026 Aviator reclining remedy disables the DSM feature until parts are available, then replaces the motor.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 6 |
| medium | 4 |
Models affected most
Where owners report seats problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under seats for the Lincoln models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Seats complaints |
|---|---|
| 2025 Lincoln Aviator | 3 |
| 2021 Lincoln Aviator | 3 |
| 2018 Lincoln Navigator | 2 |
| 2026 Lincoln Navigator | 1 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 20, 2026 | Lincoln Navigator Front Passenger Seat May Move Unexpectedly | high |
| Jul 21, 2026 | Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator Seats May Recline | medium |
| Jul 14, 2026 | Ford, Lincoln Second-Row Seats May Shift Unexpectedly | high |
| Mar 3, 2026 | Lincoln Navigator Driver Seat May Move Backward Unexpectedly | high |
| Jun 13, 2025 | Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator second-row seats may move | high |
| Apr 14, 2022 | Lincoln Aviator Power Head Restraint Cushion May Detach | medium |
| Jul 17, 2020 | Lincoln MKX, Nautilus Seat Wiring May Affect Airbag | high |
| Jun 23, 2020 | Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator Headrest Weld May Fail | medium |
| Aug 28, 2019 | Ford And Lincoln Front Seat Recliners May Fail | high |
| Nov 14, 2018 | Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator center seat may move | medium |
Common questions
What makes the Aviator's second-row easy-entry seats move unexpectedly?
The June 2025 and July 2026 notices describe an easy-entry switch that may bind or stick. The June notice specifies switch inspection and bezel replacement as necessary; the July notice specifies inspection and replacement of the bezel as necessary.
Can the Navigator driver-seat recall be repaired over the air?
The March 2026 recall, 26S11, provides a dealer or over-the-air seat control module software update, free of charge. It concerns certain 2026 Navigators whose driver-seat obstacle detection software may malfunction at low speeds, causing the seat to reverse unexpectedly.
Why does the MKX and Nautilus seat recall involve airbags?
The July 2020 notice covers certain 2016-2018 MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles with 16-way electric tilt seats. A cushion frame edge may damage wiring during tilt use. Dealers apply protective flocking tape and inspect, repair, or replace the harness as needed, free.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.